Flatland Cavalry was founded in 2012 by Cordero and Albers, both college roommates from Midland who played music together until they moved to Lubbock and other members joined their group by 2014. In May 2015, the band’s first EP Come May was released, having been made possible thanks to a crowd-funding campaign for the album’s production. On April 1, 2016, the group’s debut album Humble Folks was released; the record got good reception and was compared to the Turnpike Troubadours’ music. Humble Folks reached 17th place on the Billboard Americana/Folk Albums chart and 38th place on the Top Country Albums chart. The band’s second studio album Homeland Insecurity was released on January 18, 2019. Overall, Flatland Cavalry has five studio albums; their latest one is Work of Heart, released in 2026.

Formation

Flatland Cavalry has its foundation laid when Cleto Cordero and Jason Albers started performing at their local gigs during their days at Midland College living under the same roof. The duo had been jamming since junior high but it was only when they relocated to Lubbock in 2012 that the group formed. At this point, while attending classes at Texas Tech University, Cordero and Albers met Laura Jane at a house party. Jonathan Saenz and Reid Dillon were added into the picture in 2014 to make up the entire band. Cleto Cordero learned to play the guitar at age 14 and had written his first song at age 17 when he was still in Lee High School for the Rebel Lee Court Awards Ceremony. Cordero writes almost all of the group’s songs while serving as the lead guitarist and vocalist of Flatland Cavalry with Jason Albers as the drummer, Jonathan Saenz as the bassist, Reid Dillon as the guitar player and Wesley Hall as the fiddle player who replaced Laura Jane after she left the group in 2018.

Tours

Flatland Cavalry began performing in their home town of Lubbock, Texas, from 2015. They have toured in other parts of Texas, performing at festivals, bars, and small concerts, until expanding in 2016 to perform all over the US where they officially launched their first tour in 2019.

West Coast Tour (October 2019 – November 2019)
Welcome to Countryland Tour (June 2021 – December 2021)
Gettin’ By Tour (January 2022 – May 2022)
Far Out West Tour (May 2022 – December 2022)
North American Tour (February 2023 – October 2023)
Wandering Star Tour (December 2023 – November 2024)
Flatland Forever Tour (February 2025 – July 2025)
Flatland Forever(more) Tour (July 2-– November 2025)

Awards and nominations

Conclusion

From its roots in Lubbock, Texas to its status as one of America’s most revered country and Americana bands today, the Flatland Cavalry has become successful through its story-telling talent, its musical ability, and its fan connection. Through Cleto Cordero’s soulful song writing, the Flatland Cavalry maintains the legacy of Texas country music and does not stray from its founding principles.